Dr. Bock,

Lest I be seen as beating a dead horse, I'll make this my final question, but your remarks on this group has provoked my interest. [1] In hindsight, based on the DSS discoveries, how influential do you consider the Essenes to have been during the first half of 1st century? Were they a "highly secretive" group, considered by most in the public to be extremists? [2] By way of analogy or comparison, what two group today would be a good comparison or parallel to how the 1st century Pharisees/Sadducees viewed the Essenses? This may be an unfair question but I was hoping one example comes immediately to your mind, perhaps something like moderate Islam compared to Al- Qaida?

Mitch